Pets make wonderful companions. They give us pleasure, unconditional love, teach us responsibility and make us happier and healthier.

Bringing a new pet into the family is a major decision and pet ownership comes with many important responsibilities that you should be aware of before selecting a new pet. Remember, that cute puppy or kitten lives between 10-18 years and you are making a commitment to be responsible for this new bundle of joy for the remainder of its life.

There are several factors to consider before you choose a new pet:

Is your home and lifestyle appropriate?

Is your home fenced? Does it have a good sized yard for exercise? Do your rent or own? Do you intend to have an inside or outside cat?

When choosing a new pet it’s important to consider the environment you are bringing them into. The questions you need to ask yourself will depend on the type, size, and breed of pet you are considering. For example large bred dogs will require a lot more space than a small lap dog will. Inside cats will require a toileting area etc.

Family members who suffer from allergies should also spend some time around pets to see if their allergy symptoms can be managed before introducing a new animal into the family.

Remember to also consider the other pets in your household before introducing a new friend, as not all animals will get along.

If renting, check with your landlord that you have their permission to have a pet on the property before selecting your new pet.

Time

Do you have time for a new pet? Caring for a pet takes a lot of time. Time to feed it, walk it, bath it, clean up after it, train it, love it etc

Be sure to do your research to make sure you get the right pet for you. For example if you work long hours or have other commitments then a high energy breed like a Border collie or Kelpie might not be the right choice for you.

Explore your options: If you’re interested in a particular breed, talk to people that own or have owned that breed. Read books and surf the net to gather as much information as possible to ensure they are the right pet for you before you buy or adopt.

Can you afford a new pet?

The costs involved with owning a pet are considerable and most new owners often don’t plan for these costs before selecting a pet.

Healthy Animals require quality food, bedding/housing, leads/collars etc, training, vaccinations, annual checkups, desexing surgery, heartworm prevention, intestinal worm prevention, tick and flea prevention, bathing and grooming, and that’s just the basics. Your pet may require extra veterinary treatment throughout its lifetime for that unexpected broken leg or illness. It is important to plan how you will afford these basic and unplanned costs before selecting a new pet.

Where to find your new fur baby

If you are interested in a purebred animal then it is preferable to find yourself a reputable breeder. Good breeders will encourage you to visit the premises, ask questions (and give honest answers) and meet the parents. Be wary of those breeders who are unwilling to do this, as puppy farms are an increasing problem in Australia.

Thousands of animals are surrendered each year to the RSPCA /rescue organisations which makes them a great place to start with your search. There are many cute and cuddly animals of all sizes and ages just waiting for someone to fall in love with them and take them home.

If you have questions about what breed might be right for you, our staff can help. Visit one of our clinics or call us on 07 4032 9999.